There are numerous things to do in and around Knysna, and even in and around just the Knysna Lagoon.  Fishing, swimming, walking to name but a few.

Many of our guests however, have limited time, and want to experience as much as possible in as little time as possible.  A shame really, if you ask me, but then again, not many people actually ask me…

Featherbed Nature Reserve

So, if your time is limited, I highly recommend visiting Featherbed Nature Reserve.  The Southafricans reading my blog may remember William Smith, the math teacher, who used to have his own tv program, back in the days.  Guess I’m giving my age away here!  In the background would always be a picture of Featherbed Nature Reserve, which he inherited from his father, who was rewarded this valuable piece of land after scientifically proving the …  had in fact not vanished from Mother Earth.  This was in …

The Smith family developed the land into Featherbed Nature Reserve and – thank goodness! – kept it as such, even when they sold the company in later years.  This pristine piece of land can be kept as a nature reserve by allowing visitors like yourselves onto the reserve on a daily basis.  I think everybody in Knysna is eternally grateful for that, as we can only imagine what it would look like should this fall into developers’ hands….

Their very popular Featherbed Eco Experience runs on a daily basis and is a 4-hour trip (including lunch) in the morning and a 3-hour trip (excluding lunch) in the afternoon (subject to availability and enough people booked on the actual trip).  The trip starts at Cruise Cafe (think coffee before you go, and bathroom:)) from where the ferry takes you on a 45 minute leisurely cruise to the other side of the Knysna Lagoon.  At Featherbed itself the tractor-with-trailers are waiting to take you to the top, stopping at a few viewpoints to (you guessed it!) enjoy the view.

At the top you have the choice of walking down through the nature reserve (highly recommended, but not if you have hip or back problems) or taking ‘the train’ back down again.  The hike will take you to rocky cliffs, fynbos covered footpaths, and along the coastline back to the restaurant.

The restaurant is situated outside, amidst centuries old milkwood trees, with a Mediterranean buffet being served inside.  Lunch is included in the price, you only pay extra for the drinks.

After lunch the boat takes you back to Knysna….

Sjoo, as I write this I want to go.  Again :).  Hope you too!